HSAA contribution honours Alberta EMS victim

Edmonton (14 Dec. 2010) - The Health Sciences Association of Alberta (HSAA/NUPGE) will honour the life of emergency medical services (EMS) professional John O'Mahony and his injured colleague by donating $10,000 for the construction of a monument to workers killed or injured while on the job.

"The 21,000 members of HSAA and the entire EMS community mourn the loss of their brother and colleague," said HSAA president Elisabeth Ballermann. "His tragic death reminds us of the risks that workers face every day, particularly those professionals whose work involves travel."

Killed in a traffic accident Dec. 6 in northern Alberta while transporting a patient on Highway 2 west of McLennan, O'Mahony is believed to be the first HSAA member in the union's 40-year history to die in the line of duty.

Ballermann, who attended funeral services for O'Mahony on Monday, said: "Our hearts are with his family and with our injured sister, his EMS team partner, who is recovering in hospital, as well as the patient who was being transferred at the time of the crash."

While this is a project of the Edmonton and District Labour Council, the location in the province's capital will honour all Albertans who gave their lives or suffered injuries while on the job. The monument is slated for completion in 2012, coinciding with the 100th anniversary of the Alberta Federation of Labour (AFL).

HSAA staff around the province paid tribute to O'Mahony with a moment of silence at 11 a.m. Monday morning.